Thursday, June 09, 2005

Dan Perry, Pulitzer Prize Winner?

I anticipate that the Mets won't tolerate Mientkiewicz's bat much longer, and the sooner they take steps to replace him, the better off they'll be. The schedule is marginally tougher the rest of the way, but all factors considered, this is probably the team to beat the rest of the way. The positive run differential in tandem with injuries to the Braves and a fairly rough schedule ahead for the Marlins will likely mean a division title for the Mets.

Wait, what?

The schedule is marginally tougher the rest of the way, but all factors considered, this is probably the team to beat the rest of the way.

I'm sorry, can you say that again?

The schedule is marginally tougher the rest of the way, but all factors considered, this is probably the team to beat the rest of the way.

One more time because it sounds nice….

The schedule is marginally tougher the rest of the way, but all factors considered, this is probably the team to beat the rest of the way.

Perry is dead on. The fact is, the NL East has five teams that have flaws and not one is head and shoulders above the rest. The Mets might not have the best offense or bullpen in the division, but whatever team beats them in one or two areas does not beat them in others. When you factor in the rotation, bench, bullpen, and offense, the Mets are simply the most well rounded team. Throw on top of that, they have the pieces to make this team play even better. Once Willie figures out what 99% of us already know, the Mets can add a bigger bat to the meat of the order to produce runs and if he can find a way to plug Diaz or Floyd at first, the Mets can potentially add another solid bat.

I like their chances as good as any other team's in the division.

* * *

How fitting is it that Danny Graves has a tattoo that says Shea?

Minor update:

Hagerstown beat Lake County 6-5. Matt Durkin got the nod and went 5.2 innings and gave up three runs on four hits and three walks. He struck out two and got the no decision. His ERA is up to 4.22 and has been pretty much killed by walks. He has given up 37 walks to 37 hits. That's ugly.

St. Lucie beat Brevard County in pitcher's duel 9-8 and scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth to win it. Lastings went 1 for 5 with two runs scored and one double. Shawn Bowman went deep for his sixth homerun of the year and went 2 for 4 with four RBIs.

Altoona beat Binghamton behind x-Met prospect Matt Peterson. Peterson pitched a gem going six innings, giving up three hits, one earned run, three walks, and struck out six. He is 5-3 with a 6.35 ERA.

Norfolk beat Durham 4-3 by scoring two runs in the bottom of the 11th inning. BJ Upton went 3 for 4 for Durham and Angel Pagan went 4 for 6 with a run scored for the Tides. Jae Seo was solid yet again by going seven innings and giving up seven hits, one earned run, three walks, and striking out seven. What is really impressive for Seo is his 9.15 K/9 and his 3.50 K/BB. He has brought his ERA down to 3.34 after it was sky high to start the season. Note to Omar: See what you can get for him ASAP.

Lookout NL East...

The Mets signed free agent infielder Jose Offerman to a minor league contract. The 36-year-old infielder will report to Port St. Lucie to join the Mets' extended spring training program and then will head to Norfolk. He was with the Phillies earlier this year, but hit just .182 in 33 games.

Say high to Ice when you get to Norfolk. Some people collect baseball cards, some people collect hookers to tie up and stash in the basement, and others collect aging ball players that are no longer good or were never actually good.

Mets brass made a strong push for Ugueth Urbina, who was shipped from Detroit to Philadelphia yesterday for INF Placido Polanco. Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski acknowledged he nearly traded Urbina to a different NL East team, which two Mets insiders said they believed was theirs, though Florida also expressed interest. The delay in officially signing Danny Graves was unrelated to the Urbina pursuit, according to a Mets official.

I wonder what was offered?

I'm all for Diaz to first, but he was not too good in the infield before, so it will be interesting to watch. He certainly will not look like Piazza at first, but why not try Floyd? I have already mentioned it before, he at least was a first baseman before. Either way, something has to be attempted.

Previous Posts

Mets News

The Ken Oberkfell (or anyone else for that matter) For Manager Movement

"No one really gave me credit for doing what I did. They just criticized me," "The manager countered that Wright might not have had as good a year had the manager not protected the youngster by placing him down in the order early in the season."

Riiiiiiiiight. That does not even deserve a response.

"I guess I'm a show-me guy, I want to see that David can keep making the adjustments," Randolph said.

I'm a show me guy too. Show me why you should still employed. Hint #1, treat your best hitter like your best hitter. Don't punish someone for being young.

"I let them play," Randolph said. "It's not always going to come down to average and statistics. It's just how you play the game. Managers look at players and it's what they see."

Your gut decisions have worked out oh so well so far, so why change?

"He was just one of the guys we had," Randolph said. "Who knows? We may even pick someone up. The competition just started. It doesn't change the whole picture at second base for me at all. The fact that he's not here, we have to just move on."

That was when Brett Boone retired and that was followed up by...

"Keppinger really wasn't in the mix. Keppinger was kind of a long shot, and he's still kind of a long shot, but he's there."

Willie, wait. I thought you just said the competition just started? Now Keppinger had no shot and since A Hern has been playing short (a very foreign position from second) he is out too?

"I'm not concerned at all"

That was Willie commenting on Victor Zambrano's inability to actually resemble a good pitcher. I know Willie is not going to throw his guy under the bus, so I give him a free pass, but I wouldn't mind a comment about him needing to step up and perform in the next week or so.

"He's still a nice player, but let's not get crazy," Randolph said. ~ 4/15/08

Willie telling Angel Pagan to not get too excited because chances are, he really is not good.

"He's not going to be in that tree all year," Randolph said of Pagan, who is also tied with David Wright for the team lead with 10 RBIs. "We've seen a lot of players come through the pike and do what Pagan's doing, so let's keep this in perspective." ~ 4/15/08

Willie 'motivating' his team in their time of need.

"I like Luis in the No. 2 spot," Randolph said. "He's still one of the better No. 2 hitters in the game." ~ 4/15/08